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Architecture of Complex Systems

Course 1 of 4 in Architecture and Systems Engineering: Models and Methods to Manage Complex Systems

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  • START DATE April 7, 2025 More Dates
  • TIME COMMITMENT 4-6 hours per week
  • DURATION 5 weeks
  • FORMAT Online
  • CEUs 2.5
  • PRICE $1,179

MAKE BETTER ENGINEERING DECISIONS

Explore the essential concepts behind the architecture of complex systems. Learn how to minimize rework by understanding the complexity inherent in modern systems and applying systems thinking to real-world scenarios. By examining system architecture through various lenses, you'll create your own personal definition and identify how system architecture can improve project outcomes. You’ll also delve into practical tools like Design Structure Matrices (DSMs) to analyze design relationships and process workflows, and understand the architect's role and key stakeholder interactions in driving successful system outcomes.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Address changes which induce, propagate, and amplify risk in the increasingly complex products and services they are required to develop.

View the week by week schedule here.

  • Motivate the need for system architecture by articulating the ideas of minimized rework and by offering examples of complexity in modern systems.
  • Contrast several definitions of system architecture and construct a personal definition from your career examples.
  • Differentiate systems thinking from other kinds of "thinking;" define a system, and articulate examples of things that are and are not systems. Apply system thinking to provide a perspective on a given project.
  • Articulate more solution-neutral and less solution-neutral framings of a problem, and evaluate how solution-neutral to be for a given problem.
  • Construct a design DSM, either by analyzing the design or by converting a graph of the system.
  • Construct a process DSM and identify how it is different from a design DSM.
  • Given a DSM, apply a sequencing algorithm to sort the components into modules or to sort tasks into groups.
  • Define the role of the architect and the stakeholders with whom the architect should work.
  • Define the deliverables of the architect, with references to architectural frameworks and your career examples.

WHO SHOULD ENROLL

  • Aerospace, automotive, defense, consumer appliances, and manufacturing industry professionals

  • Engineers at original equipment manufacturers (OEM)

  • Any systems engineering professional, director, or senior manager looking to innovate and optimize their operational, manufacturing, and design systems

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HOW YOU WILL LEARN

  • Learning technique

    LEARN BY DOING

    Practice processes and methods through simulations, assessments, case studies, and tools.

  • Learning technique

    LEARN FROM OTHERS

    Connect with an international community of professionals while working on projects based on real-world examples.

  • Learning technique

    LEARN ON DEMAND

    Access all of the content online and watch videos on the go.

  • Learning technique

    REFLECT AND APPLY

    Bring your new skills to your organization, through examples from technical work environments and ample prompts for reflection.

  • Learning technique

    DEMONSTRATE YOUR SUCCESS

    Earn a Professional Certificate and 2.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from MIT.

  • Learning technique

    LEARN FROM THE BEST

    Gain insights from leading MIT faculty and industry experts from Boeing and NASA, US Air Force, GE, GM, Apple, MAN Truck, and Bus AG.

WHAT LEARNERS AND COMPANIES ARE SAYING

Marcin Zajac

Marcin Zajac, System Engineer, Apitv

[The course] completely changed my view of SE and architecture in the context of systems. I got a very good overview of methods and the way of thinki…

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Archit Verma

Archit Verma, Business Process Architect, Tata Technologies

The course material was brilliantly fabricated. It was a perfect blend of detailed technicality and lucid comprehension. It was an enriching and fulf…

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Erin Ronayne Hinson

Erin Ronayne Hinson, Automation Engineering Manager, Illumina

I really appreciated how broad the examples were and the focus on practical activities and information that was broadly relevant outside of the class…

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MIT FACULTY AND INDUSTRY EXPERTS

Edward F. Crawley

Edward F. Crawley

Ford Professor of Engineering, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, MIT

Bruce G. Cameron

Bruce G. Cameron

Director of the System Architecture Lab, MIT

Olivier L. de Weck

Olivier L. de Weck

Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering Systems, MIT, Editor-in-Chief of Systems Engineering, INCOSE Fellow

COURSES IN THIS PROGRAM

To earn a Professional Certificate, you must complete the four courses in the program. For those who do not want to commit to the full program, courses can be taken on an individual basis. Savings apply when enrolling into the full program.

Architecture of Complex Systems Architecture of Complex Systems

Course 1 of 4 in Architecture and Systems Engineering: Models and Methods to Manage Complex Systems

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Models in Engineering Models in Engineering

Course 2 of 4 in Architecture and Systems Engineering: Models and Methods to Manage Complex Systems

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Model-Based Systems Engineering: Documentation and Analysis Model-Based Systems Engineering: Documentation and Analysis

Course 3 of 4 in Architecture and Systems Engineering: Models and Methods to Manage Complex Systems

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View Full Program

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